Physics PPE

(a) Draw a diagram to show how 1.
5 V cells should be connected together to give

1. a potential difference of 4.5 V.
Use the correct circuit symbol for a cell.
(2)
A student built the circuit shown in the diagram below.
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(b) Calculate the total resistance of the circuit in the diagram above.
Use the equation:
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Total resistance = _______________________ Ω

(2)
(c) The resistance of P is 3.5 Ω.
Calculate the resistance of Q.
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Resistance of Q = ______________________ Ω
(1)
(d) The student connects the two resistors in the diagram above in parallel.
What happens to the total resistance of the circuit?
Tick one box.
It decreases
It increases
It does not change
(1)
Give a reason for your answer.
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(1)
(Total 7 marks)
The plug of an electrical appliance contains a fuse.

2.
(a) What is the correct circuit symbol for a fuse?
Tick one box.
(1)
(b) The appliance is connected to the mains electrical supply. The mains potential
difference is 230 V.
Calculate the energy transferred when 13 C of charge flows through the appliance.
Use the equation:
energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference
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Energy transferred = _______________________ J

(2)
The diagram below shows the structure of a fuse.
(c) Write down the equation that links charge flow, current and time.
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(1)
(d) The fuse wire melts when 1.52 coulombs of charge flows through the fuse in 0.40 seconds.
Calculate the current at which the fuse wire melts.
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Current = _______________________ A
(3)
(e) The mass of the fuse wire is 0.00175 kg. The specific latent heat of fusion of
the fuse wire is 205 000 J/kg.
Calculate the energy needed to melt the fuse wire.
Use the Physics Equations Sheet.
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Energy = _______________________ J
(2)
(Total 9 marks)
The diagram shows the circuit used to obtain the data needed to plot the current-potential
3. difference graph for a filament lamp.
(a) Why is component M included in the circuit?
Tick one box.
To keep the current constant.
To keep the potential difference constant.
To vary the current.
(1)
(b) Why does the resistance of the lamp increase as the potential difference
across the lamp increases?
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(1)
(c) The potential difference across the lamp is 12.0 V
Calculate the energy transferred by the lamp when 8.5 C of charge flows through the lamp.
Use the equation:
energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference
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Energy transferred = ____________________ J

(2)
(d) The table gives data about two types of lamp that householders may use in their homes.
Mean lifetime in
Type of lamp Energy efficiency
hours
Halogen 10% 2000
LED 90% 36000
Both types of lamp produce the same amount of light.
Describe the environmental advantages of using the LED lamp compared with the halogen
lamp.
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(2)
(Total 6 marks)
The diagram shows a temperature sensing circuit used to control a heating system
4. in a house.
(a) What quantity does the ammeter measure?
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(1)
(b) The current in the circuit is 3.5 mA when the potential difference across the thermistor is
4.2 V
Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.
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Resistance = ____________________ Ω
(3)
(c) Calculate the charge that flows through the thermistor in 5 minutes when the current is 3.5
mA.
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Charge = ____________________ C
(3)
(d) Explain why the potential difference across the thermistor changes as the
temperature in the house decreases.
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(2)
(e) The circuit shown in the diagram can be modified to turn lights on and off by replacing the
thermistor with a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR).
Draw the circuit symbol for an LDR in the space below.
(1)
(Total 10 marks)
An electrical circuit is shown in the figure below.
5.
(a) The current in the circuit is direct current.
What is meant by direct current?
Tick one box.
Current that continuously changes direction.
Current that travels directly to the component.
Current that is always in the same direction.
(1)
(b) The equation which links current, potential difference and resistance is:
potential difference = current × resistance
Calculate the potential difference across the battery in the circuit in the figure above.
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Potential difference = _____________________ V

(3)
(c) The equation which links current, potential difference and power is:
power = current × potential difference
Calculate the power output of the battery in the figure above.
Give your answer to one significant figure.
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Power = _____________________ W
(2)
(Total 6 marks)
The current in a circuit depends on the potential difference provided by the cells and the total
6. resistance of the circuit.
(a) Figure 1 shows the graph of current against potential difference for a component.
What is the name of the component?
Draw a ring around the correct answer.
diode filament bulb thermistor
(1)
(b) Figure 2 shows a circuit containing a 6 V battery.
Two resistors, X and Y, are connected in parallel.
The current in some parts of the circuit is shown.
(i) What is the potential difference across X?
Potential difference across X = _______________ V

(1)
(ii) Calculate the resistance of X.
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Resistance of X = _______________ Ω
(2)
(iii) What is the current in Y?
Current in Y = _______________ A
(1)
(iv) Calculate the resistance of Y.
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Resistance of Y = _______________ Ω
(1)
(v) When the temperature of resistor X increases, its resistance increases.
What would happen to the:

• potential difference across X
• current in X
• total current in the circuit?
Tick ( ) three boxes.
Decrease Stay the same Increase
Potential difference
across X
Current in X
Total current in the circuit
(3)
(Total 9 marks)
Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are two processes that release energy.
1.
(a) The following nuclear equation represents the fission of uranium-235 (U-235).
Chemical symbols:
• Ba = barium
• Kr = krypton
• = neutron
Describe the process of nuclear fission.
Use the information in the equation.
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(4)
(b) Explain what happens in the process of nuclear fusion.
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(3)
(c) Fission reactors are used in nuclear power stations.
Engineers are developing fusion reactors for use in power stations.
Fusion uses isotopes of hydrogen called deuterium and tritium.
• Deuterium is naturally occurring and can be easily extracted from seawater.
• Tritium can be produced from lithium. Lithium is also found in seawater.
The table shows the energy released from 1 kg of fusion fuel and from 1 kg of fission fuel.
Energy released from 1 kg

Type of fuel
of fuel in joules
Fusion 3.4 × 1014
Fission 8.8 × 1013
Suggest two advantages of the fuel used in a fusion reactor compared with the fuel used in
a fission reactor.
1. _________________________________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________________________________
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(2)
(Total 9 marks)
(a) Uranium has two natural isotopes, uranium-235 and uranium-238.

2.
Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
electrons neutrons protons
The nucleus of a uranium-238 atom has three more _____________ than the nucleus of a
uranium-235 atom.
(1)
(b) Uranium-235 is used as a fuel inside a nuclear reactor.
Energy is released from nuclear fuels by the process of nuclear fission.
What is the energy released from nuclear fuels inside a nuclear reactor used for?
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(1)
(c) Figure 1 shows the nucleus of an atom of uranium-235 (U-235) about to undergo nuclear
fission.
Figure 1
(i) Before nuclear fission can happen the nucleus of a uranium atom has to absorb the
particle labelled X.
What is particle X?
Tick (✔) one box.
an electron a neutron a proton
(1)
(ii) The process of nuclear fission, shown in Figure 2, causes the nucleus of the
uranium-235 (U-235) atom to split apart and release two of the particles X.
Figure 2
Complete Figure 2 to show how the particles X start a chain reaction.

(2)
(Total 5 marks)
The equation below shows the process by which two atomic nuclei join to form a
3. different nucleus.
(a) Where does the process shown by the equation above happen naturally?
Tick ( ) one box.
Inside the Earth
Inside a nuclear power station
Inside the Sun
(1)
(b) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
fission force fusion
The process of joining two atomic nuclei to form a different nucleus is called
nuclear _________________________ .
(1)
(c) What is released during this process?
charge energy force
(1)
(Total 3 marks)
Many countries use nuclear power stations to generate electricity.

4. Nuclear power stations use the process of nuclear fission to release energy.
(a) (i) What is nuclear fission?
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(1)
(ii) Plutonium-239 is one substance used as a fuel in a nuclear reactor. For nuclear
fission to happen, the nucleus must absorb a particle.
What type of particle must be absorbed?
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(1)
(b) Nuclear fusion also releases energy.

Nuclear fusion happens at very high temperatures. A high temperature is needed to
overcome the repulsion force between the nuclei.
(i) Why is there a repulsion force between the nuclei of atoms?
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(1)
(ii) Where does nuclear fusion happen naturally?
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(1)
(c) In 1991, scientists produced the first controlled release of energy from an experimental
nuclear fusion reactor. This was achieved by fusing the hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and
tritium.
Deuterium is naturally occurring and can easily be extracted from seawater. Tritium can be
produced from lithium. Lithium is also found in seawater.
The table gives the energy released from 1 kg of fusion fuel and from 1 kg of fission fuel.
Energy released from

Type of fuel
1 kg of fuel in joules
Fusion fuel 3.4 × 1014
Fission fuel 8.8 × 1013
(i) Suggest two advantages of the fuel used in a fusion reactor compared
with plutonium and the other substances used as fuel in a fission reactor.
1. ____________________________________________________________
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2. ____________________________________________________________
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(2)
(ii) Some scientists think that by the year 2050 a nuclear fusion power station capable of
generating electricity on a large scale will have been developed.
Suggest one important consequence of developing nuclear fusion power stations to

generate electricity.
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(1)
(d) Tritium is radioactive.
After 36 years, only 10 g of tritium remains from an original sample of 80 g.
Calculate the half-life of tritium.
Show clearly how you work out your answer.
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Half-life = __________________ years

(2)
(Total 9 marks)
(a) Nuclear power stations generate about 14% of the world’s electricity.
5.
(i) Uranium-235 is used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors.
Name one other substance used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors.
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(1)
(ii) Energy is released from nuclear fuels by the process of nuclear fission.
This energy is used to generate electricity.
Describe how this energy is used to generate electricity.
Do not explain the nuclear fission process.
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(3)
(b) The diagram shows the nuclear fission process for an atom of uranium-235.
Complete the diagram to show how the fission process starts a chain reaction.
(2)
(c) The diagram shows the cross-section through a nuclear reactor.
The control rods, made from boron, are used to control the chain reaction. Boron atoms
absorb neutrons without undergoing nuclear fission.
Why does lowering the control rods reduce the amount of energy released each second
from the nuclear fuel?
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(2)
(Total 8 marks)
(a) Nuclear fission is used in nuclear power stations to generate electricity.
6. Nuclear fusion happens naturally in stars.
(i) Explain briefly the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
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(2)
(ii) What is released during both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?
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(1)
(b) Plutonium-239 is used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors.
(i) Name another substance used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors.
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(1)
(ii) There are many isotopes of plutonium.
What do the nuclei of different plutonium isotopes have in common?
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(1)
(Total 5 marks)
The names of three different processes are given in List A.
7. Where these processes happen is given in List B.
Draw a line to link each process in List A to where the process happens in List B.
Draw only three lines.
List A List B
Process Where it happens
in a star
fusion
in a nuclear reactor
chain reaction
in a smoke precipitator
alpha decay
in the nucleus of an atom
(Total 3 marks)
The process of nuclear fusion results in the release of energy.

8.
(a) (i) Describe the process of nuclear fusion.
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(2)
(ii) Where does nuclear fusion happen naturally?
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(1)
(b) For many years, scientists have tried to produce a controlled nuclear fusion
reaction that lasts long enough to be useful. However, the experimental fusion
reactors use more energy than they produce.
(i) From the information given, suggest one reason why nuclear fusion reactors are not
used to produce energy in a nuclear power station.
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(1)
(ii) Suggest one reason why scientists continue to try to develop a practical nuclear
fusion reactor.
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(1)
(Total 5 marks)
(a) Uranium atoms do not always have the same number of neutrons.
9. What are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons called?
_________________________
(1)
(b) By emitting an alpha particle, an atom of uranium-235 decays into an atom of thorium.
An alpha particle, which is the same as a helium nucleus, is represented by the symbol
.
The decay can be represented by the equation below.
Complete the equation by writing the correct number in each of the two boxes.
(2)
(c) The diagram shows an atom of uranium-235 being split into several pieces.
(i) Name the process shown in the diagram.
_________________________
(1)
(ii) Name the particles labelled X.
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(1)
(d) Uranium-235 is used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors.

Name another substance used as a fuel in some nuclear reactors.
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(1)
(Total 6 marks)
1. Americium-241 is an isotope of americium.
(a) Which of the isotopes given in the table below is not an isotope of americium?
Isotope Mass number Atomic number
A 243 95
B 243 94
C 242 95
Isotope _____________________
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(2)
The graph below shows how the number of americium-241 nuclei in a sample changes with time.
(b) How many years does it take for the number of americium-241 nuclei to decrease from 10
000 to 5000?
Time = _______________________ years

(1)
(c) What is the half-life of americium-241?
Half-life = _______________________ years

(1)
(Total 4 marks)
A teacher used a Geiger-Muller tube and counter to measure the number of counts in 60
2. seconds for a radioactive rock.
(a) The counter recorded 819 counts in 60 seconds. The background radiation count rate was
0.30 counts per second.
Calculate the count rate for the rock.
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Count rate = ______________________ per second

(3)
(b) A householder is worried about the radiation emitted by the granite worktop in his kitchen.
1 kg of granite has an activity of 1250 Bq. The kitchen worktop has a mass of 180 kg.
Calculate the activity of the kitchen worktop in Bq.
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Activity = ___________________ Bq
(2)
(c) The average total radiation dose per year in the UK is 2.0 millisieverts.
The table below shows the effects of radiation dose on the human body.
Radiation dose in
Effects
millisieverts
10 000 Immediate illness; death within a few weeks
1000 Radiation sickness; unlikely to cause death
100 Lowest dose with evidence of causing cancer
The average radiation dose from the granite worktop is 0.003 millisieverts per day.
Explain why the householder should not be concerned about his yearly radiation dose from
the granite worktop.
One year is 365 days.
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(2)
(d) Bananas are a source of background radiation. Some people think that the unit of radiation
dose should be changed from sieverts to Banana Equivalent Dose.
Suggest one reason why the Banana Equivalent Dose may help the public be more aware
of radiation risks.
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(1)
(Total 8 marks)
Smoke alarms contain an alpha radiation source and a radiation detector.
3.
Figure 1 shows part of the inside of a smoke alarm.
Figure 1
(a) The smoke alarm stays off while alpha radiation reaches the detector.
Why does the alarm switch on when smoke particles enter the plastic casing?
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(1)
(b) Why is it safe to use a source of alpha radiation in a house?
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(1)
(c) The smoke alarm would not work with a radiation source that emits beta or gamma
radiation.
Explain why.
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(2)
(d) Figure 2 shows how the count rate detected from the radiation source in the
smoke alarm changes with time.
Figure 2
The smoke alarm switches on when the count rate falls to 80 counts per second.
Explain why the radiation source inside the smoke alarm should have a long half-life.
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(2)
(e) Figure 3 shows a patient who has been injected with a radioactive source
for medical diagnosis.
Figure 3
Explain the ideal properties of a radioactive source for use in medical diagnosis.
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(4)
(Total 10 marks)
A student models the random nature of radioactive decay using 100 dice.
4.
He rolls the dice and removes any that land with the number 6 facing upwards.
He rolls the remaining dice again.
The student repeats this process a number of times.
The table below shows his results.
Roll number Number of dice remaining
0 100
1 84
2 70
3 59
4 46
5 40
6 32
7 27
8 23
(a) Give two reasons why this is a good model for the random nature of radioactive decay.
1. _________________________________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________________________________
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(2)
(b) The student’s results are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Use Figure 1 to determine the half-life for these dice using this model.
Show on Figure 1 how you work out your answer.
Half-life = ________________________ rolls

(2)
(c) A teacher uses a protactinium (Pa) generator to produce a sample of radioactive material
that has a half-life of 70 seconds.
In the first stage in the protactinium generator, uranium (U) decays into thorium (Th) and
alpha (α) radiation is emitted.
The decay can be represented by the equation shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2
Determine the atomic number of thorium (Th) 234.
Atomic number = ______________________

(1)
(d) When protactinium decays, a new element is formed and radiation is emitted.
The decay can be represented by the equation shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
When protactinium decays, a new element, X, is formed.
Use information from Figure 2 and Figure 3 to determine the name of element X.
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(1)
(e) Determine the type of radiation emitted as protactinium decays into a new element.
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(2)
(f) The teacher wears polythene gloves as a safety precaution when handling radioactive
materials.
The polythene gloves do not stop the teacher’s hands from being irradiated.
Explain why the teacher wears polythene gloves.
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(2)
(Total 10 marks)
(a) There are many isotopes of the element molybdenum (Mo).

5.
What do the nuclei of different molybdenum isotopes have in common?
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(1)
(b) The isotope molybdenum-99 is produced inside some nuclear power stations
from the nuclear fission of uranium-235.
(i) What happens during the process of nuclear fission?
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(1)
(ii) Inside which part of a nuclear power station would molybdenum be produced?
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(1)
(c) When the nucleus of a molybdenum-99 atom decays, it emits radiation and changes into a
nucleus of technetium-99.
Mo Tc + Radiation
What type of radiation is emitted by molybdenum-99?
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(2)
(d) Technetium-99 has a short half-life and emits gamma radiation.
What is meant by the term ‘half-life’?
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(1)
(e) Technetium-99 is used by doctors as a medical tracer. In hospitals it is
produced inside a technetium generator by the decay of molybdenum-99 nuclei.
(i) The figure below shows how the number of nuclei in a sample of
molybdenum-99 changes with time as the nuclei decay.
Time in days
A technetium generator will continue to produce sufficient technetium-99 until 80% of

the original molybdenum nuclei have decayed.
After how many days will a source of molybdenum-99 inside a technetium-99

generator need replacing?
Show clearly your calculation and how you use the graph to obtain your answer.
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Number of days = ______________________

(2)
(ii) Medical tracers are injected into a patient’s body; this involves some
risk to the patient’s health.
Explain the risk to the patient of using a radioactive substance as a medical tracer.
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(2)
(iii) Even though there may be a risk, doctors frequently use radioactive substances for
medical diagnosis and treatments.
Suggest why.
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(1)
(Total 11 marks)
There are many different isotopes of gold. The isotope, gold-198, is radioactive.
6. An atom of gold-198 decays by emitting a beta particle.
(a) Complete the following sentences.
All atoms of gold have the same number of ________________________________
and the same number of __________________________________ .
The atoms from different isotopes of gold have different numbers of ____________ .
A beta particle is an __________________________________ emitted
from the __________________________________ of an atom.

(3)
(b) The graph shows how the count rate from a sample of gold-198 changes with time.
Time in days
Use the graph to calculate the half-life of gold-198.
Show clearly on the graph how you obtain your answer.
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Half-life = ________________ days

(2)
(c) The diagram shows a map of a river and the river estuary.
Environmental scientists have found that water flowing into one part of the river estuary is
polluted. To find where the pollution is coming from, the scientists use a radioactive isotope,
gold-198.
The gold-198 is used to find where the pollution is coming from.
Explain how.
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(2)
(Total 7 marks)
In the early 20th century, scientists developed an alpha particle scattering
1. experiment using gold foil.
The diagram shows the paths of some of the alpha particles in the alpha particle scattering
experiment.
(a) Explain how the paths of the alpha particles were used to develop the nuclear model of the
atom.
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(4)
(b) Niels Bohr adapted the nuclear model by suggesting electrons orbited the
nucleus at specific distances.
Explain how the distance at which an electron orbits the nucleus may be changed.
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(3)
(Total 7 marks)
Alpha, beta and gamma are types of nuclear radiation.

2.
(a) Draw one line from each type of radiation to what the radiation consists of.
Type of radiation What radiation consists of
Electron from the nucleus
Alpha
Two protons and two neutrons
Beta
Electromagnetic radiation
Gamma
Neutron from the nucleus
(3)
(b) A teacher demonstrates the penetration of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
through different materials.
The demonstration is shown in the figure below.
Complete the figure above by writing the name of the correct radiation in each box.
(2)
(c) Give two safety precautions the teacher should have taken in the demonstration.
1. _________________________________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________________________________
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(2)
(d) The table below shows how the count rate from a radioactive source changes with time.
Time in seconds 0 40 80 120 160
Count rate
400 283 200 141 100
in counts/second
Use the table to calculate the count rate after 200 seconds.
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(2)
(e) The half-life of the radioactive source used was very short.
Give one reason why this radioactive source would be much less hazardous
after 800 seconds.
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(1)
(Total 10 marks)
Alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays are types of nuclear radiation.
3.
(a) Describe the structure of an alpha particle.
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(1)
(b) Nuclear radiation can change atoms into ions by the process of ionisation.
(i) Which type of nuclear radiation is the least ionising?
Tick (✔) one box.
alpha particles
beta particles
gamma rays
(1)
(ii) What happens to the structure of an atom when the atom is ionised?
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(1)
(c) People working with sources of nuclear radiation risk damaging their health.
State one precaution these people should take to reduce the risk to their health.
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(1)
(Total 4 marks)
Atoms are different sizes.
4.
One of the heaviest naturally occurring stable elements is lead.
Two of its isotopes are lead-206 ( ) and lead-208 ( ).
(a) (i) What is meant by ‘isotopes’?
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(2)
(ii) How many protons are in the nucleus of a atom?
__________________
(1)
(iii) How many neutrons are in the nucleus of a atom?
__________________
(1)
(b) A nucleus can be accelerated in a particle accelerator and directed at a large nucleus. This
produces a heavy nucleus that will decay after a short time.
This is shown in Figure 1.
(i) In 1984, nuclei of iron (Fe) were directed at nuclei of lead (Pb). This
produced nuclei of hassium (Hs).
Complete the equation for this reaction by writing numbers in the empty boxes.
(3)
(ii) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
an electron a proton a neutron
The particle X in part (b)(i) is _________________________________ .

(1)
(iii) After acceleration the iron nuclei travel at a steady speed of one-tenth of the speed of
light.
The speed of light is 3.00 × 108 m/s.
Calculate the time taken for the iron nuclei to travel a distance of 12 000 m.
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Time taken = ____________________ s

(2)
(iv) Linear accelerators, in which particles are accelerated in a straight line, are not used
for these experiments. Circular particle accelerators are used.
Suggest why.
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(3)
(c) Hassium-265 ( ) decays by alpha emission with a half-life of 0.002 seconds.
(i) What is meant by ‘half-life’?
Tick ( ) two boxes.

Tick ( )
The average time for the number of nuclei to halve
The time for count rate to be equal to background count
The time for background count to halve
The time for count rate to halve
(2)
(ii) Complete the equation for the decay of Hs-265 by writing numbers in the empty
boxes.
(2)
(d) The table below shows how the atomic radius of some atoms varies with atomic number.
Atomic Atomic radius in

number picometres (pm)
15 100
35 115
50 130
70 150
95 170
1 pm = 10–12 m
(i) On Figure 2, use the data from the table above to plot a graph of atomic radius
against atomic number and draw a line of best fit.
Two points have been plotted for you.
Figure 2
(2)
(ii) Scientists believe that the element with atomic number 126 can be produced and that
it will be stable.
Use your graph in Figure 2 to predict the atomic radius of an atom with atomic
number 126.
Atomic radius = ____________________ pm

(1)
(Total 20 marks)
Atoms contain three types of particle.
5.
(a) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.
electrons and neutrons.

The particles in the nucleus of the atom are electrons and protons.
neutrons and protons.
(1)
(b) Complete the table to show the relative charges of the atomic particles.
Particle Relative charge
Electron –1
Neutron
Proton
(2)
(c) (i) A neutral atom has no overall charge.
Explain this in terms of its particles.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(2)
(ii) Complete the sentence.
An atom that loses an electron is called an _____________________
and has an overall _________________________ charge.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)
(a) The figure below shows a helium atom.
6.
(i) Which one of the particles in the atom is not charged?
electron neutron proton

(1)
(ii) Which two types of particle in the atom have the same mass?
__________________________ and __________________________

(1)
(iii) What is the atomic number of a helium atom?
2 4 6
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(2)
(b) Alpha particles are one type of nuclear radiation.
(i) Name one other type of nuclear radiation.
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(ii) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
The difference between an alpha particle and a helium atom is that the alpha
particle does not have any _________________________ .

(1)
(iii) Which one of the following is a property of alpha particles?
Tick (✓) one box.
Have a long range in air
Are highly ionising
Will pass through metals
(1)
(c) Doctors may use nuclear radiation to treat certain types of illness.
Treating an illness with radiation may also harm a patient.
(i) Complete the following sentence.
The risk from treating a patient with radiation is that the radiation may
_________________________ healthy body cells.

(1)
(ii) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.
Radiation may be used to treat a patient if the risk from the
much bigger than

radiation is about the same as the possible benefit of having
much smaller than
the treatment.
(1)
(Total 9 marks)
(a) The diagram shows how static electricity is used to paint a metal car panel.
1.
Use words from the box to complete the following sentences.
attract opposite repel same
All the paint droplets have the same type of charge. This makes the paint droplets
_________________________ each other and spread out.
The car panel and the paint droplets have the ________________________ type of
charge. This causes the car panel to ______________________ the paint droplets.
The car panel is covered by an even layer of paint.

(3)
(b) In which one of the following situations is static electricity dangerous and not useful?
Put a tick ( ) in the box next to your answer.
using a photocopier
refuelling an aircraft
a smoke precipitator
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
(a) A student takes off his nylon fleece and feels a small electric shock.
2. He realises that this happens because his fleece becomes charged.
Explain why the fleece becomes charged.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(b) Only two of the following statements are correct.
Put a tick ( ) in the boxes next to the two correct statements.
Positively charged objects repel negatively charged objects.
Electrical charges move easily through metals.
Static electricity is safe; it never causes any danger.
An electric current is a flow of electrical charge.
(2)
(c) The diagram shows a lightning conductor attached to the side of a tall building.
If the building is struck by lightning, charge flows to earth through the lightning conductor.
(i) Which of the materials in the list is used to make the lightning conductor?
Draw a ring around your answer.
copper glass plastic
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(2)
(ii) Complete the sentence by drawing a ring around the correct line in the box.
The resistance of the lightning conductor is
higher than
the same as the resistance of the building.
lower than
(1)
(iii) It is almost impossible to test different designs of lightning conductor in controlled
experiments during a lightning storm.
Suggest a reason why.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 8 marks)
Figure 1 shows a student walking on a carpet.

3.
Figure 1
(a) The student becomes negatively charged because of the friction between her socks and
the carpet.
Explain why the friction causes the student to become charged.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(b) The student’s head is represented by the sphere in Figure 2.
The student is negatively charged. The arrow shows part of the electric field
around the student’s head.
Draw three more arrows on Figure 2 to complete the electric field pattern.
Figure 2
(1)
(c) The negatively charged student touches a metal tap and receives an electric shock.
Explain why.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(d) Some carpets have thin copper wires running through them. The student is
less likely to receive an electric shock after walking on this type of carpet.
Suggest why.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
A student used some everyday items to investigate static electricity.

4.
Figure 1 shows a flexible plastic strip being rubbed with a cloth.
Figure 1
(a) Complete the sentence.
Choose the answer from the box.
Rubbing the plastic strip with the cloth causes the strip to become
negatively charged because ____________________ move from the cloth
onto the plastic strip.

(1)
(b) Complete the sentence.
a negative a positive zero
The cloth is left with ____________________ charge.

(1)
(c) The student hung the plastic strip over a wooden rod.
The ends of the strip moved away from each other.
Figure 2 shows the position of the plastic strip on the wooden rod.
Figure 2
What two conclusions should the student make about the forces acting on the two halves
of the plastic strip?
1. _________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(d) Another student repeated the experiment using the same method and found
the plastic strip moved in the same way.
Complete the sentence.
an anomaly repeatable reproducible
The investigation was _____________________ .

(1)
(Total 5 marks)
A student rubs an acetate rod with a cloth.

5.
Figure 1 shows the charges on the acetate rod and cloth before and after rubbing.
Figure 1
(a) Explain how rubbing an acetate rod with a cloth causes the rod and cloth to become
charged.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(b) After charging them, the student moves the acetate rod and the cloth closer
together.
Which statement is correct?
Tick one box.
There is no force between the acetate rod and the cloth.
There is a force of attraction between the acetate rod and the cloth.
There is a force of repulsion between the acetate rod and the cloth.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(c) Figure 2 shows a Van de Graaff generator, which is used to generate static
electricity.
Figure 2
© Michael Priest
The longer the Van de Graaff generator is switched on, the more charge is stored on the
metal dome.
Use an answer from the box to complete the sentence.
decrease increase stay the same
The amount of charge on the metal dome is increased, which causes the potential
difference between the metal dome and the earthed sphere to ________________ .
(1)
(d) When the potential difference between the Van de Graaff generator and the
earthed sphere is 60 kV, a spark jumps between the metal dome and the earthed
sphere. The spark transfers 0.000025 coulombs of charge to the earthed sphere.
The equation which links charge, energy and potential difference is:
energy transferred = charge × potential difference
Calculate the energy transferred by the spark.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Energy transferred = ______________________ J

(2)
(Total 9 marks)
(a) The diagram shows a negatively charged plastic rod held close to a thin stream of water.
6. The water is attracted towards the rod.
Which one of the following statements explains what is happening to the
charge in the water?
Tick ( ) one box.
The positive and the negative charges in the water are attracted to the
rod.
The positive and the negative charges in the water are repelled by the
rod.
The negative charge in the water is repelled by the rod and the positive
charge is attracted.
The negative charge in the water is attracted by the rod and the positive
charge is repelled.
(1)
(b) A company that produces bottles of mouthwash found a problem with the automatic filling
system.
As the bottles go towards the filler, they move around on the conveyer belt and become
electrostatically charged. This causes the stream of mouthwash to move sideways, missing
the open top of the bottle.
The company came up with a solution to the problem. Before the bottles reach the filler,
they pass through a stream of ionised air. The ions in the air neutralise the charge on the
bottles.
(i) Explain why the plastic bottles become charged.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(2)
(ii) What is an ion?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(iii) Earthing the conveyor belt with a conducting wire would not have solved this problem.
Give a reason why.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 5 marks)
(a) A washing machine is connected to the mains electricity supply using a cable
1. and three-pin plug.
Figure 1 shows a three-pin plug.
Figure 1
Name the materials used in the structure of a plug. Give the reason why each material is
used.
Pin ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Outer case _________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(b) The three-pin plug contains a fuse. The fuse is connected to one of the wires inside the
cable.
(i) Which one of the wires inside the cable is the fuse connected to?
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(ii) The fuse is a thin wire inside a closed glass tube. The wire acts as a resistor.
What effect does a current through a wire have on the wire?
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(iii) The power of the washing machine varies between 0.7 kW and 2 kW
depending on which part of the wash cycle is operating.
Calculate the maximum current drawn from the mains electricity supply by the
washing machine.
The mains electricity supply is at a potential difference of 230 V.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Current = __________________________ A
(2)
(c) Figure 2 shows how the mains electricity cable is connected to the washing machine.
The earth wire is connected to the metal case of the washing machine.
Figure 2
If a fault makes the metal case live, the earth wire and fuse inside the plug prevent the
mains cable from overheating and causing a fire.
Explain how.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(d) New research has shown that many people underestimate the hazards of using
mains electricity.
It is important that people do understand the hazards of using mains electricity.
Suggest why.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)
Many electrical appliances are connected to the mains supply using a three-core cable and a
2. three-pin plug.
(a) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
charge energy power
Electric current is the rate of flow of _______________________________ .

(1)
(b) The diagram shows a three-pin plug connected to a three-core cable.
(i) The three wires of the three-core cable have different coloured coverings.
State the colour of the covering of the neutral wire.
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(ii) Which two parts of the plug shown above protect the wiring of a circuit?
Tick ( ) two boxes.
Tick ( )
Earth wire
Fuse
Live wire
Neutral wire
(2)
(c) Some electrical appliances are connected to the mains supply using a two-core cable and a
three-pin plug. Appliances that are double insulated do not require all three wires.
(i) What does ‘double insulated’ mean?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(ii) State which of the three wires is not required.
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(d) (i) An electrical appliance is connected to a 20 V supply.
The current in the appliance is 3 A.
Calculate the power of the appliance.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Power = _________________________ W
(2)
(ii) Another electrical appliance is connected to a 20 V supply.
The appliance transfers 300 J of energy.
Calculate the charge.
Give the unit.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Charge = _________________________
Unit _____________
(3)
(Total 11 marks)
Figure 1 shows a radio. The radio can be powered by connecting the two-core cable to the
3. mains electricity supply.
(a) (i) What must be fitted to the cable before it can be connected to the mains electricity
supply?
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(ii) There are only two wires inside the cable.
What are the names of the two wires inside the cable?
Tick ( ) one box.
Earth and live
Earth and neutral
Live and neutral
(1)
(iii) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
double extra fully
It is safe to connect the radio to the mains electricity supply using a two-core
cable because the radio is ____________________________ insulated.

(1)
(b) The radio can also be powered by a battery.
What type of current does a battery supply?
Tick ( ) one box.
Alternating current (a.c.) only
Direct current (d.c.) only
Both a.c. and d.c.
(1)
(c) Figure 2 shows a fuse and a circuit breaker.
Fuses and circuit breakers are able to disconnect and switch off circuits.
(i) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.
earth live neutral
A fuse or a circuit breaker is connected to the ____________________ wire in a

circuit.
(1)
(ii) What happens to cause a fuse or circuit breaker to disconnect a circuit?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(iii) Suggest two advantages of using a circuit breaker to disconnect a circuit compared
with using a fuse.
1. ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)
(a) Figure 1 shows the inside of a three-pin plug and a length of three-core cable.
4.
The cable is to be connected to the plug.
Figure 1
(i) Complete Table 1 to show which plug terminal, A, B or C, connects to each of the
wires inside the cable.
Table 1
Wire Plug terminal
Live
Neutral
Earth
(2)
(ii) Name a material that could be used to make the case of the plug.
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(b) Figure 2 shows an electric drill and an extension lead. The drill is used with the
extension lead.
Figure 2
Electric drill Extension lead
(i) The drill is used for 50 seconds.
In this time, 30 000 joules of energy are transferred from the mains electricity supply
to the drill.
Calculate the power of the drill.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Power = _________________________ W
(2)
(ii) A second drill is used with the extension lead. The power of this drill is 1200 W.
The instructions for using the extension lead include the following information.
When in use the lead may get hot:
DO NOT go over the maximum power

• lead wound inside the case: 820 watts
• lead fully unwound outside the case: 3100 watts
It would not be safe to use this drill with the extension lead if the lead was left wound
inside the plastic case.
Explain why.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(3)
(c) Table 2 gives information about three different electric drills.
Table 2
Drill Power input Power output

in watts in watts
X 640 500
Y 710 500
Z 800 500
A person is going to buy one of the drills, X, Y or Z. The drills cost the same to buy.
Use only the information in the table to decide which one of the drills, X, Y or Z, the person
should buy.
Write your answer in the box.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)
(a) The diagram shows the information plate on an electric kettle. The kettle is plugged into the
5. a.c. mains electricity supply.
230 V 2760 W
50 Hz
Use the information from the plate to answer the following questions.
(i) What is the frequency of the a.c. mains electricity supply?
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(ii) What is the power of the electric kettle?
______________________________________________________________
(1)
(b) To boil the water in the kettle, 2400 coulombs of charge pass through the
heating element in 200 seconds.
Calculate the current flowing through the heating element and give the unit.
Choose the unit from the list below.
amps volts watts
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Current = ______________________________
(3)
(c) The amount of charge passing through the heating element of an electric
kettle depends on the time the kettle is switched on.
What pattern links the amount of charge passing through the heating element and the time
the kettle is switched on?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)
(a) The diagram shows a piece of two-core cable and a piece of three-core cable.
6.
(i) Which one of the wires inside a three-core cable is missing from a two-
core cable?
Draw a ring around your answer.
earth wire live wire neutral wire
(1)
(ii) Use a word from the box to complete the following sentence.
double extra totally
A pottery table lamp fitted with a two-core cable is safe to use because it is
_________________________ insulated.
(1)
(b) The cables connecting the power sockets in a building contain wires 1.8 mm thick. The
maximum current that can safely pass through these wires is 20 amps. A fuse is included in
the circuit to protect the wiring.
Explain how a fuse protects the wiring of a circuit.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

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(a) Draw a diagram to show how 1.

5 V cells should be connected together to give

Use the correct circuit symbol for a cell.

A student built the circuit shown in the diagram below.

Use the equation:

Total resistance = _______________________ Ω

(c) The resistance of P is 3.5 Ω.

Calculate the resistance of Q.

What happens to the total resistance of the circuit?

Tick one box.

It does not change

Give a reason for your answer.

The plug of an electrical appliance contains a fuse.

Tick one box.

Use the equation:

energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference

Energy transferred = _______________________ J

The diagram below shows the structure of a fuse.

Calculate the current at which the fuse wire melts.

Calculate the energy needed to melt the fuse wire.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

(a) Why is component M included in the circuit?

Tick one box.

To keep the current constant.

To keep the potential difference constant.

To vary the current.

(c) The potential difference across the lamp is 12.0 V

Use the equation:

energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference

Energy transferred = ____________________ J

Halogen 10% 2000

LED 90% 36000

Both types of lamp produce the same amount of light.

(a) What quantity does the ammeter measure?

Calculate the resistance of the thermistor.

Draw the circuit symbol for an LDR in the space below.

(a) The current in the circuit is direct current.

What is meant by direct current?

Tick one box.

Current that continuously changes direction.

Current that travels directly to the component.

Current that is always in the same direction.

potential difference = current × resistance

Potential difference = _____________________ V

power = current × potential difference

Calculate the power output of the battery in the figure above.

Give your answer to one significant figure.

What is the name of the component?

Draw a ring around the correct answer.

diode filament bulb thermistor

Two resistors, X and Y, are connected in parallel.

The current in some parts of the circuit is shown.

(i) What is the potential difference across X?

Potential difference across X = _______________ V

(ii) Calculate the resistance of X.

(iii) What is the current in Y?

(iv) Calculate the resistance of Y.

What would happen to the:

• total current in the circuit?

Tick ( ) three boxes.

Decrease Stay the same Increase

Total current in the circuit

Describe the process of nuclear fission.

Use the information in the equation.